CS2 at Esports World Cup 2026 preview: Who will leave Paris victorious?

Jon Nicholson, Freelance Writer

Last Updated: 12/08/2026

After a massive 64-team LAN qualifier for the final spots, all eyes are on the hotly anticipated Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament taking place at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Paris. 

Thirty-two of the world’s best teams have secured their place in the main event’s Group Stage, where they will compete for 16 playoff spots and a chance to win the lion’s share of a $2 million prize pool.

With so many powerhouse rosters in attendance, there’s a good chance of CS2 betting sites offering plenty of markets for fans looking to put their knowledge to the test. As teams hit the server, we’ve taken a look at the rosters with the best shot of leaving Paris with a hefty payday.

Team Falcons to fly high once again

Heading into the event as the reigning IEM Cologne Major champions, Team Falcons have finally cracked the code for success at Tier 1 tournaments.

The addition of Finn ‘Karrigan’ Andersen as the in-game leader has helped address the roster’s T-side troubles, transforming the team into one that looks far less likely to crumble under pressure. 

After missing out on Major glory on 16 different occasions, Nikola ‘NiKo’ Kovač has hit his stride as one of the world’s best riflers. A 1.43 rating in the Cologne Major Grand Final was the icing on the cake for the Bosnian, who has a chance to kick on after breaking his Major curse on his 17th attempt.

At 3/1 (4.0), Team Falcons have a 25% implied probability of adding another Tier 1 trophy to their collection. Despite being the third favourite for outright victory, Falcons is a team that shouldn’t be ruled out.

فالكونز في باريـس، والبداية من بكرا! 🇫🇷🔜

وكل يوميـن، مقطع جـديد على إحدى قنوات صـناع محتوى فالكونز pic.twitter.com/osYNUiK1Ie

— Team Falcons (@TeamFalconsGG) August 9, 2026

Can Team Vitality reestablish dominance?

Since switching from Global Offensive to CS2, Team Vitality have been one of the dominant forces in the Tier 1 scene, clinching five consecutive victories between February and May.

Having looked unbeatable on several occasions, crashing out of BLAST Bounty Season 2 with a 17th–32nd finish definitely wasn’t on the cards. That came after the team placed 5th–8th at the IEM Cologne Major and 5th–6th at IEM Atlanta, reflecting a noticeable dip from its early-season dominance.

Despite the surprise elimination, the bookmakers still believe Team Vitality have what it takes to lift the EWC trophy on home soil. The odds of 9/4 (3.25) imply a probability of 30.8% that CS2’s juggernaut will return to the top of the pecking order once again.

Les joueurs préférés de tes joueurs préférés sont là ! ✨ pic.twitter.com/ht4OxpbG59

— Team Vitality 🐝 (@TeamVitality) August 11, 2026

Never rule out FaZe Clan magic

Failure to qualify for IEM Cologne was a huge disappointment for FaZe Clan, especially after they finished the Budapest Major in 2nd place.

Since karrigan joined Team Falcons and Helvjis ‘broky’ Saukants shifted to the bench, the Red Militia is starting to rediscover its infamous magic. Alongside its Tier 1 appearances, FaZe have opted for more Tier 2 competitions in a bid to climb the global Valve Regional Standings.

Since late May, the team have placed no lower than fourth at their LAN appearances, recently making the semifinals of BLAST Bounty. On the way to the final four, FaZe beat The MongolZ 2–1, with loanee Jason ‘JBOEN’ Boe Nielsen posting an impressive 1.16 rating.

JBOEN remains in the lineup for EWC, and at 18/1 (19.0), FaZe could be excellent value for anyone looking for an outsider to lift the trophy. In addition to a 5.3% implied probability of winning, FaZe are also priced at 11/1 (12.0) to reach the final.

Which team will win CS2 at Esports World Cup 2026?

Considering Team Vitality’s recent form and the lack of a single dominant team in the second half of 2026, determining which team will take the top spot in Paris is incredibly tricky.

While Team Vitality are currently the bookies’ outright favourite, our pick for victory at EWC 2026 is Team Falcons. Cologne was a much-needed breakthrough for a team that has finally brought all of its individual skill together into a single powerhouse capable of establishing an era of its own.

The subsequent BLAST Bounty upset showed that they are far from untouchable, but their Major run remains the strongest evidence of just how high this roster’s ceiling can be.

Jon Nicholson, Freelance Writer

Jonno is a veteran esports journalist with over a decade of experience in covering the world of competitive gaming. Since starting in 2014, he’s covered the biggest events for outlets including Esports Insider, GGRecon, Gfinity, and Siege.GG. When he’s not writing, he can be found sim racing with varying degrees of success.

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